Experimenting With iMovie - Colour Filters

When exploring iMovie I found that it offered a variety of colour filters that I can use to make my title sequence more appealing to a younger target audience.  Here I have experimented with a few of the many colour filters available by adding them to the clips I’ve produced. When experimenting I particularly liked the black and white theme and the silent era filters because they tie in with my time travelling/historic theme.  The colour filters I will use in my TV title sequence will highlight the historic theme to the young target audience as it will look old fashioned yet fun and interesting. I particularly like the silent era effect, as when speeded up it will mimic the Charlie Chaplain silent movie era look, which again will be eye catching and entertaining for my younger audience.

Experimenting With iMovie - Transitions

 Transitions are vital to TV title sequences as they keep the sequence fun and exciting especially to younger target audiences. Here I have used technology available on iMovie in order to make scene transitions more appealing to my younger target audience. iMovie offers a large range of transitions that you can place between clips. I particularly think that the slide in and out transitions will be effective for my TV title sequence when introducing characters. It also like how at the end of the clip I was able to fade the clip out to black to reveal my programmes name and logo because it is a traditional convention of TV title sequence and will therefore look more professional. I feel that the only downside to adding transitions to my clips is that they cut them short, as I would like to use this feature in my TV title sequence I will take this into account and make my clips longer than I need. Transitions make the cut between scenes smoother and more professional looking overall creating a more eye catching TV title sequence.

Experimenting with iMovie - Changing Speeds

Here I have experimented with another feature available on iMovie, which is editing clips to run at different speeds.  Here I filmed the model on a normal Cannon EOS 1100D with no effects, when I uploaded it onto iMovie I was then able to edit the video and adjust the speed. Once I had imported the clip onto iMovie I was able to adjust the speed by clicking on the speed button that looks like a small speed dial and then you can adjust what speed you want the video at personally I like this feature on iMovie as I can create different dynamics and moods within my video. For example the 1920’s were a very fast paced exciting era and with this feature I can speed up my characters dancing to represent this.  Also I can slow videos down using this feature for when I would like to capture something in slow motion for example when a character drops an item or losses something to add to the dramatic impact. Overall, I feel that this feature is highly effective and I will be using it in the production of my title sequence.

Test Shots - TV Title Sequence

Test Shot 1

For this test shot I filmed the model doing up two different ties I then merged the two videos together in iMovie to make it look like the model is doing one tie that changes colour.  When filming this I didn’t take into account that I have the keep the camera and model in the exact same position so that they transition smoothly into each other. To fix this problem in iMovie I edited the clip using zoom so that the frame was the same in each clip. When it comes to producing my title sequence I will use a shot like this when the characters’ change costume as it is a fun and eye caching shot. 

Jump Cut Test Shot 

A jump cut is a cut in film editing in which two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly. This type of edit gives the effect of jumping forwards in time. For this shot I filmed my model on different steps individually in different shoes to create the jump shot effect. once imported into iMovie I cut the shots down and speeded them up to create a fast jumpy effect.  I like the jump shot effect as the way it jumps makes the shot bold and eye catching which captures the audience’s attention and makes them interested to watch it. When producing my title sequence, I would like to incorporate this shot as in media it is typically used for showing time travel which is the theme for my children TV Drama. 




Panning Test Shot

The panning shot is typically used in media productions when establishing the location of the scene, for example, the camera may pan round a living room or party to show the location and the characters involved. Here I have produced a panning shot of my character and their surroundings using a Canon EOS 1100D camera and a tripod. I used a tripod to keep the camera stable and a the handle allows me to move the camera smoothly at my desired speeds. The tripod helps create a smooth and effective panning shot that looks professional and appealing to the viewers of the programme. 

Changing Shoes

When originally filming this shot I did not take into account the fact that I have to keep the lighting and the background exactly the same in both shots, this resulted in the production of a poor quality clip that did not smoothly transition into each other. therefore, the second time round I made sure I kept the background and the model in the exact same place and I controlled the lighting so that it was the same in both shots. Once filmed I imported the clips into iMovie and merged them so that it appears to the audience the shoes are changing as they walk.  I would defiantly like to use this shot in the production of my title sequence for when the character’s costumes change throughout time. This is because I think that it is appealing and eye-catching to a young target audience, it also appears professional if filmed to a high quality. 


Door

For this shot I filmed two separate shots, one of the model walking through the door and, one of the model opening the door in a different piece of clothing. I then imported the clips into iMovie and edited them so that it appears that the model walks through the door and reopens it in a different outfit. In iMovie I also speeded up the clip so that it moves quickly but smoothly and appears professional to the audience. I will be using this shot in my title sequence as it is easy to achieve and is effective when the character’s change costumes for transitioning between shots. 

Choosing Technology and Software

What Camera is best?

When filming for my children’s TV drama title sequence I want to use the best equipment available so that I can achieve a high quality, professional finish. In order to choose the best camera I tested a variety of them to find out the positives and negatives and what one suits me best for my production. 

Canon HG10

Overall, I feel that although the Canon H610  has many positives such as the large memory and safety strap, I think this is not the right camera for the production of my title sequence . This is because of the low quality footage and the further loss of quality when zoom is used. I want my Title sequence to look clear and professional and I feel that this camera could not achieve this . 

Canon AXH1

Overall, I think this is not the right camera for my production, although it has high definition audio and filming, I feel that it is too heavy and restricting especially with the memory/tapes. 

Canon Power Shot S5

Overall, I don't think this is the right camera for producing my title sequence, this is because you cannot zoom which I feel is essential as I am including several close up shots. Also, it has limited memory and when filming I would like to film as much as I can in order to get a realistic and professional looking product. 

Canon EOS 1100D

Overall, I think this is the right camera for producing my title sequence. This is because, it has high definition filming and comes with a variety of lenses that allow me to zoom and focus when filming close up shots. Also, this camera allows me to not only film but also to take photographs, this will be helpful when taking cover images for the DVD and magazine cover to match the title sequence. 

Equipment 
Tripod

Tripods are use to keep the camera steady in order to get a smooth professional looking shot. Tripods are also used to create a smooth pan for example, when filming the surroundings of a scene. For the production of my Title sequence I will be using a tripod to keep the camera steady and to create smooth clean footage. The tripod is also useful for filming scenes in which the character clothes will change this is because, the tripod accurately keeps the camera is place so that minimal editing is needed.

Green Screen

 Another Technology available to me that I will be using for my Title sequence is a green screen. Green screens allows my to edit in locations that are not available to me, for example a mountain. This technology allows me to create a believable Title sequence with a variety of different locations without having to film at all of them.  Green screen woks by filming my model in front of the Green screen in the studio, I then upload the clip to iMovie and import my desired background. I then select the green screen button in iMovie and the originally green background becomes my desired background.

Software Available

iMovie
iMovie is an essential editing software where I can edit and combine the footage I have filmed. iMovie allows me to import all my footage and edit it by trimming and combining it with other videos. iMovie also has other features that I can use such as templates and transitions that I can add to clips to make them fun and more appealing to my young target audience.  Transitions are particularly useful as they make transitions between scenes look professional and appealing to my young audience. I will be using iMovie when making my TV title sequence as it enables me to edit and combine my videos to create a professional and appealing Title sequence. Evidence of me experimenting with features available on iMovie can be seen on posts 27th, 28th and 30th November.

Live Type

I think Live type is an effective piece of software and will be useful when making my title sequence as I can save it as a video and place it over clips on the editing software iMovie. The  live type , software allows me to create fun and exciting titles for my TV sequence  Live type offers a range of different fonts and colours I can play around with and create a title that’s suited to my programme. As my programme is focused on time travel I will be experimenting with old-fashioned looking serif font to reinforce the theme to the young target audience.  Finally live type allows me to add effects to my chosen fonts such as the barrel jump and drop out.  These again will be helpful and effective when making my title sequence as they will make the title eye-catching and appealing to my young audience.

PhotoShop

I will be using Photoshop when editing photographs I have taken for my magazine and DVD covers.  Photoshop enables me to edit photographs to make them appealing and professional looking,. Photoshop enables me t edit the photographs for example, make them brighter and edit out unwanted shadows or other imperfections. This software also allows me to edit out backgrounds if I would like to edit in my own. Overall, this software will be highly effective when creating professional, high quality photographs for my Magazine and DVD covers.